Involved in an Accident
11-20-2013, 12:06 PM
#1
Involved in an Accident
Hello everyone,
I have been a heavy lurker on this site for about a year now. I have made several modifications to my truck based on some of the things I have seen people do on this forum. I finally have my truck to the point where I am content, even if it only lasts a month.
That said, last night when I was on my way to get some dinner, a young driver (high school) crossed in front of me from oncoming traffic, I essentially T-boned them, and the result was some front end damage to my truck, and their car was totaled.
My questions are:
1. Would it be reasonable to expect their insurance company to provide me with a rental car that is in truck form? I really don't want to be stuck with a Yaris or something similar.
2. Does the repair shop HAVE to replace damaged components with exact OEM parts. To elaborate, what if I ask them to put on the Harley front clip, rather than my FX4 clip. Or, what if I want them to use a ranch-hand or similar style aftermarket bumper? Will they accommodate?
3. Can anyone recommend things I should do to make this repair process go smoothly?
I will try to post pictures when I am off work. Luckily, nobody was hurt in the accident, but the truck really laid out a beating on the little Geo Prizm that hit me.
Also, to be clear, I was not at fault and the accident report confirms this.
Thanks,
Alex
I have been a heavy lurker on this site for about a year now. I have made several modifications to my truck based on some of the things I have seen people do on this forum. I finally have my truck to the point where I am content, even if it only lasts a month.
That said, last night when I was on my way to get some dinner, a young driver (high school) crossed in front of me from oncoming traffic, I essentially T-boned them, and the result was some front end damage to my truck, and their car was totaled.
My questions are:
1. Would it be reasonable to expect their insurance company to provide me with a rental car that is in truck form? I really don't want to be stuck with a Yaris or something similar.
2. Does the repair shop HAVE to replace damaged components with exact OEM parts. To elaborate, what if I ask them to put on the Harley front clip, rather than my FX4 clip. Or, what if I want them to use a ranch-hand or similar style aftermarket bumper? Will they accommodate?
3. Can anyone recommend things I should do to make this repair process go smoothly?
I will try to post pictures when I am off work. Luckily, nobody was hurt in the accident, but the truck really laid out a beating on the little Geo Prizm that hit me.
Also, to be clear, I was not at fault and the accident report confirms this.
Thanks,
Alex
Popular Reply
11-20-2013, 12:35 PM
I was an insurance adjuster a long time ago.
You have a few ways to go about it. Call up the at fault carrier, and as soon as they have accepted liability, they will start the repair process. You are entitled to a vehicle while yours is being repaired. The problem is, not many places rent out f150s. They might put you in an suv or something if you bring it up. Hopefully you are not under 25, because that opens another rental car issue.
They will either send an adjuster to see the truck, and he will write an estimate, or they alreqdy work with several shops in your town, and if you want the truck repaired there, they will accept their direct-written estimate.
You have a right to take the truck anywhere for repair, but unless it's specified in your state that they must use OEM parts, they can use LKQ. Insurance is to make you whole, not better.
For example, lets say your 2009 f150 needs a new bumper. The shop can pull one off a rear-damaged wrecked 2009 f150, and put it on, or they can buy a new one. If it's new, you are technically (although it doesnt seem like it) better than before the accident.
Some companies will ask you to pay "betterment" if you get new parts.
You can take the estimate check and cash it, and keep the money and not fix the truck.
You can take the estimate and the check to a repair shop, and they will start fixing. If additional damage is found, they will call the insurance company, who will write a supplement for the extra cost.
You can ask the shop how much extra it would cost to swap (fx grill vs harley) etc and pay the difference... Some shops can fudge the price some, to get you what you want with no out of pocket- just tell them ahead of time. They want your business.
If you don't want to deal with the other person's insurance, you can go through yours. You might have to pay your deductible (but a lot of times the at fault party will cover it for you) and anything that your own company pays, they will get back later from the other carrier. This is called subrogation.
Your own insurance company might fight you less about the truck rental, or might even quote you more $$ in the estimate, because they already know whatever they give you, they'll get back from the other company.
You have a few ways to go about it. Call up the at fault carrier, and as soon as they have accepted liability, they will start the repair process. You are entitled to a vehicle while yours is being repaired. The problem is, not many places rent out f150s. They might put you in an suv or something if you bring it up. Hopefully you are not under 25, because that opens another rental car issue.
They will either send an adjuster to see the truck, and he will write an estimate, or they alreqdy work with several shops in your town, and if you want the truck repaired there, they will accept their direct-written estimate.
You have a right to take the truck anywhere for repair, but unless it's specified in your state that they must use OEM parts, they can use LKQ. Insurance is to make you whole, not better.
For example, lets say your 2009 f150 needs a new bumper. The shop can pull one off a rear-damaged wrecked 2009 f150, and put it on, or they can buy a new one. If it's new, you are technically (although it doesnt seem like it) better than before the accident.
Some companies will ask you to pay "betterment" if you get new parts.
You can take the estimate check and cash it, and keep the money and not fix the truck.
You can take the estimate and the check to a repair shop, and they will start fixing. If additional damage is found, they will call the insurance company, who will write a supplement for the extra cost.
You can ask the shop how much extra it would cost to swap (fx grill vs harley) etc and pay the difference... Some shops can fudge the price some, to get you what you want with no out of pocket- just tell them ahead of time. They want your business.
If you don't want to deal with the other person's insurance, you can go through yours. You might have to pay your deductible (but a lot of times the at fault party will cover it for you) and anything that your own company pays, they will get back later from the other carrier. This is called subrogation.
Your own insurance company might fight you less about the truck rental, or might even quote you more $$ in the estimate, because they already know whatever they give you, they'll get back from the other company.
11-20-2013, 12:10 PM
#2
Senior Member
You should be able to fix it however you want. The insurance company will pay to fix it to its original condition. You can use the money how you want. If the aftermarket bumper costs more you would have to pay the difference.
11-20-2013, 12:35 PM
#3
I was an insurance adjuster a long time ago.
You have a few ways to go about it. Call up the at fault carrier, and as soon as they have accepted liability, they will start the repair process. You are entitled to a vehicle while yours is being repaired. The problem is, not many places rent out f150s. They might put you in an suv or something if you bring it up. Hopefully you are not under 25, because that opens another rental car issue.
They will either send an adjuster to see the truck, and he will write an estimate, or they alreqdy work with several shops in your town, and if you want the truck repaired there, they will accept their direct-written estimate.
You have a right to take the truck anywhere for repair, but unless it's specified in your state that they must use OEM parts, they can use LKQ. Insurance is to make you whole, not better.
For example, lets say your 2009 f150 needs a new bumper. The shop can pull one off a rear-damaged wrecked 2009 f150, and put it on, or they can buy a new one. If it's new, you are technically (although it doesnt seem like it) better than before the accident.
Some companies will ask you to pay "betterment" if you get new parts.
You can take the estimate check and cash it, and keep the money and not fix the truck.
You can take the estimate and the check to a repair shop, and they will start fixing. If additional damage is found, they will call the insurance company, who will write a supplement for the extra cost.
You can ask the shop how much extra it would cost to swap (fx grill vs harley) etc and pay the difference... Some shops can fudge the price some, to get you what you want with no out of pocket- just tell them ahead of time. They want your business.
If you don't want to deal with the other person's insurance, you can go through yours. You might have to pay your deductible (but a lot of times the at fault party will cover it for you) and anything that your own company pays, they will get back later from the other carrier. This is called subrogation.
Your own insurance company might fight you less about the truck rental, or might even quote you more $$ in the estimate, because they already know whatever they give you, they'll get back from the other company.
You have a few ways to go about it. Call up the at fault carrier, and as soon as they have accepted liability, they will start the repair process. You are entitled to a vehicle while yours is being repaired. The problem is, not many places rent out f150s. They might put you in an suv or something if you bring it up. Hopefully you are not under 25, because that opens another rental car issue.
They will either send an adjuster to see the truck, and he will write an estimate, or they alreqdy work with several shops in your town, and if you want the truck repaired there, they will accept their direct-written estimate.
You have a right to take the truck anywhere for repair, but unless it's specified in your state that they must use OEM parts, they can use LKQ. Insurance is to make you whole, not better.
For example, lets say your 2009 f150 needs a new bumper. The shop can pull one off a rear-damaged wrecked 2009 f150, and put it on, or they can buy a new one. If it's new, you are technically (although it doesnt seem like it) better than before the accident.
Some companies will ask you to pay "betterment" if you get new parts.
You can take the estimate check and cash it, and keep the money and not fix the truck.
You can take the estimate and the check to a repair shop, and they will start fixing. If additional damage is found, they will call the insurance company, who will write a supplement for the extra cost.
You can ask the shop how much extra it would cost to swap (fx grill vs harley) etc and pay the difference... Some shops can fudge the price some, to get you what you want with no out of pocket- just tell them ahead of time. They want your business.
If you don't want to deal with the other person's insurance, you can go through yours. You might have to pay your deductible (but a lot of times the at fault party will cover it for you) and anything that your own company pays, they will get back later from the other carrier. This is called subrogation.
Your own insurance company might fight you less about the truck rental, or might even quote you more $$ in the estimate, because they already know whatever they give you, they'll get back from the other company.
11-20-2013, 01:16 PM
#6
When I got into an accident earlier this year, the rental they gave me from Enterprise was a red bone stock f150. Boring and ugly.
Based on what they probably have in stock for rentals, I'd personally go with something different that you'd never buy or rent yourself, just to check out a different ride. That's what I did with the other THREE accidents I was involved in this year. None of which were my fault and all a result of people texting...and the reason I sold my Harley. Ain't safe out there at all anymore!
As for renting, good luck. Have to be at least 25 here in Ohio...
Based on what they probably have in stock for rentals, I'd personally go with something different that you'd never buy or rent yourself, just to check out a different ride. That's what I did with the other THREE accidents I was involved in this year. None of which were my fault and all a result of people texting...and the reason I sold my Harley. Ain't safe out there at all anymore!
As for renting, good luck. Have to be at least 25 here in Ohio...
11-20-2013, 01:59 PM
#7
Senior Member
I have upgraded parts, but often body shops are in a turn & burn mode so they're not interested. KR parts are more expensive than FX4 parts so you'll have to pay the upcharge.
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11-20-2013, 02:41 PM
#9
New F150 Owner
Enterprise used to rent F150s. I got one when my old Explorer needed recall work. It was an '07 or '08. Their website does not list them but you might have better luck if you call.
Or try a Ram or Silverado.
Or try a Ram or Silverado.
11-20-2013, 03:23 PM
#10
I work in a bodyshop and see insurance companies constantly shafting thier customers. There are some good ones. First check state law but they still have to make you whole or better. Better wont happen. Go to a shop with a good rep and a written lifetime warranty. Request in writing new oem ford parts, not junkyard relics, not aftermarket either. Junkyard or a/m is not whole new oem is. You and only you can authorize the repairs on your truck reguardless what you may hear from anyone. You say repair that fender or you say replace that fender. Not the insurance company. Again your truck didnt come from the factory with bondo on the fender. They owe you a new oem grill same as they broke the difference +\- is your responsibilty. They will put what ever parts on the truck you want you can take the money for a new part and choose to repair it and apply that extra to a/m parts or your pocket. It is not your insurance so even if his policy says they can choose repair or replace or type of parts that only applies to his car not yours you didnt agree to it he did. They owe you a rental comparable but if none are avalible you might get a tahoe or such. You get to choose but only from whats avalible. Send me a PM if you want more help.